An online Facebook auction--Shoppa-paw-looza—will be raising money for the Lakeland Humane Society’s new shelter, which is desperately needed, said Kyla Hunter, the LHS Shelter Manager.

“The LHS is chronically short on space,” said Hunter in a statement to the Cold Lake Sun. “We currently have 24 dogs with proper kennels for 12, and 96 cats with proper kennels for 22.”

Starting Nov. 30, people can visit the Shoppa-paw-looza event page Nov. 30 to Dec. 9 and make bids on many items donated by local businesses.

“This really is the biggest auction we’ve ever planned,” said event organizer Cathy Olliffe-Webster. “We have everything from a high-end paddleboard to an expensive golf club, to baskets and baskets of hair products, and gift certificates for things like massage, housecleaning and tattoos.”

Last year, the auction lasted five days and raised nearly $15,000.

Hunter hopes this year’s auction will raise even more money for the desperately needed shelter.

“The shelter runs over-capacity 365 days a year, which is why it is so important that we get the new shelter,” she said.

The current space is too small, and the shortage means cats are being housed in the boardroom and in the bathroom.

The buildings are also out of date, said Hunter.

“The main cat building was built in the 1970s and the dog barn was originally put up in the ‘50s,” she said.

The age of the buildings means they are hard to heat and clean.

Building the new Humane Society will cost $4 million.

“We have raised $1 million to date and are working on raising the next million,” said Hunter.

The new shelter will be built on the same land as the current one at 6220 50th Avenue in Cold Lake.

Olliffe-Webster said even though the auction begins in just a few short days, it’s not too late to donate.

“I want to encourage people to pick up an extra gift for the auction when they’re out holiday shopping,” she said. “You’re not only helping the animals, you’re helping local businesses.”

Donations can be dropped off at the shelter any time right up until the end of the event.

“If you can’t make it to the shelter, please call and we’ll have a volunteer come to you to pick it up,” said Olliffe-Webster.